Gaza war update shows military changes

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s military has implemented operational changes designed to further minimize future civilian casualties, according to an update on Israel’s investigation into the Gaza war.

The update, the second update to the original July 2009 government report, was released Tuesday and delivered to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The report appears on the Israeli Foreign Ministry website.

New procedures have been adopted by Israel’s military has adopted new procedures to ensure further protection of civilians during urban warfare, according to the report. They include continuing to emphasize that the protection of civilians is an integral part of an IDF commander’ mission, as well integrating a Humanitarian Affairs Officer in each combat unit. New procedures also have been adopted to regulate the destruction of private property in cases of military necessity.

Israel’s investigations have produced results, according to the update, including 11 more criminal investigations, bringing to 47 the number of such probes relating to the Gaza war in the winter of 2008-09. Some of the investigations have resulted in criminal indictments.